A new aviation tax in pipeline

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 August 2017: Following on from a MYR10 tourist tax that comes into effect 1 September, Malaysia is processing a new tax on departing airline travellers.

There are plans to introduce a MYR1 (US$0.23) levy for all passengers departing from Malaysian airports as early as 2018.

ChannelNews Asia said Malaysia aviation regulator  announced details of the new 15 August. Read more

Push for Phang Nga airport

PHUKET, 7 August 2017: Thailand’s Phang Nga province recorded an all-time record high 4,475,223 visitors in 2016 as tourism revenue topped USD1.16 billion according to a new report by consulting group C9 Hotelworks.

While the numbers are impressive, the destination’s lack of a gateway airport remains a stumbling block to broader success.

Phang Nga and its leading resort area Khao Lak heavily rely on Phuket’s overloaded international airport as a lifeline. With over 12,000 registered hotel rooms in the province and a burgeoning pipeline of new projects, something has to give. Read more

Security contracts at Van Don airport

QUANG NINH, 25 July 2017: Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has recently identified options to finalise security contracts at Van Don International Airport when it opens next March.

Vietnam Net Bridges reported CAAV will instruct relevant agencies to prepare equipment and will be active in training security officials to ensure top security services are available when the airport opens.

Meanwhile, the investor of the airport – Sung Group – will be responsible for buying and installing X-ray scanners, explosive detectors, magnetic gates, surveillance cameras and preparing infrastructure to ensure security as stipulated by the law. Read more

Plaza Premium opens lounge in Italy

HONG KONG, 24 July 2017: Plaza Premium Group  has been awarded the contract by Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) to operate a brand new Plaza Premium Lounge for Leonardo da Vinci airport in Rome, Italy

The international airport lounge operator has a contract for five years.

Slated to open in October, Plaza Premium Lounge will offer hospitality, bar, catering, front-of-house and housekeeping services. Read more

Colombo’s runway is back

DUBAI, UAE, 21 July 2017: Emirates will deploy an A380 aircraft to make a one-off landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, 14 August, to mark the completion of runway improvements.

The special flight, operating as EK654 from Dubai, will be the first A380 commercial flight to land in Sri Lanka.

The one-off flight will allow airport executives, VIPs, trade partners and media to enjoy a guided tour of the double-decker aircraft. Read more

Vietnam island gets airport

QUANG NINH, 11 July 2017: Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Vietnam is scheduled to open by late March 2018.

Vietnam Net Bridges reported property developer, Sun Group, has invested USD330 million to build the airport, located on Van Don Island about 50 km from Halong Bay.

It is designed to serve 2 million passengers a year by 2020 and will be expanded to serve 5 million passengers annually by 2030 if travel demand increases. Read more

Cambodia to target Russian tourists

PHNOM PENH, 30 June 2017: Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has outlined key strategies to attract more Russian tourists.

Khmer Times quoted Tourism Minister, Thong Khon, saying Russia is one of the main markets in Europe for all ASEAN nations and has strong potential for Cambodia.

To boost arrivals, Cambodia has set out four priorities. Read more

Fast tracking Phan Thiet airport

BINH THUAN, 20 June 2017: Vietnam’s  Binh Thuan provincial authorities are demanding the construction of the civilian-military Phan Thiet Airport be speeded up to allow it open to commercial traffic next year.

Construction began in 2015 and there are no signs that it can open any time soon.

Local media reported that provincial authorities want the Ministry of Defense to pay compensation to land owners. Of VND135 billion (USD6 million), around VND50 billion (USD2.2 million) has been paid so far. Read more

Cat Bi eyes expansion

HAI PHONG, 20 June 2017: Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam is supporting Hai Phong authorities to accelerate the second phase of the Cat Bi International Airport expansion project.

Local media reported that part of the runway of Cat Bi International Airport has been seriously damaged, forcing airlines to cut flights to the airport.

The runway in question was built in 1996 and after 20 years needs urgent repairs. Read more

HCMC considers new runway

HO CHI MINH CITY, 15 June 2017: Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, has called for an urgent study on the feasibility of adding a third runway at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam’s busiest airport.

Tan Son Nhat currently has two runways and there are fears that it needs one more to ensure flights can operate without delays. It handles 32.5 million passengers a year, well in excess of its design capacity of 25 million.

Local media quoted the Prime Minister Phuc saying the possibility of building another runway must be considered. Read more

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